CMF Phone 1, POCO M7 Pro and more: Best gaming-centric mobiles under ₹15,000

Phones under ₹15,000 today offer a decent gaming experience. Here are the top options you can consider.

If you're looking for a gaming-centric phone but don't want to splurge on high-end models or even mid-range options, there's good news for you. You can now find decent-performing phones for under ₹15,000 or somewhere around that price point. These phones strike a good balance between performance and multimedia experience.

CMF Phone 1 is Nothing's first entry-level device (CMF )

By Shaurya Sharma

Shaurya Sharma is the Technology Editor at Hindustan Times Digital Streams, where he oversees technology coverage across digital and social platforms. With over eight years of experience across editorial, video production, and digital media, his work focuses on smartphones, AI, consumer gadgets, and shaping audience-first content strategies for modern tech consumers.

He began his career in 2018 as a fashion cinematographer before turning his lifelong passion for technology into a profession. From spending his childhood immersed in tech magazines, video games, and the latest gadgets to covering the global consumer tech industry today, technology has remained a constant throughout his journey.

Over the years, Shaurya has worked with some of India’s leading media organisations, including CNN-News18, Sportskeeda, and Guiding Tech, where he led video initiatives that combined strong editorial storytelling with engaging visual and social-first execution.

A graduate in Journalism and Mass Communication from Manipal University, Shaurya has reviewed hundreds of products across categories including smartphones, laptops, gaming consoles, cameras, and wearables. Beyond work, he is passionate about animal welfare, environmental causes, and automobiles, particularly turbo-petrol cars

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Of course, you won't be able to play games at the maximum fidelity, but you can at least enjoy titles like BGMI and others at reduced graphical settings. Here, we highlight the top mobile phones you can buy at this price point. Read on to find out.

CMF Phone 1

CMF is a sub-brand, and this particular model, the CMF Phone 1, is its first phone under the CMF branding. It currently retails for ₹14,999 for the 6GB RAM variant with 128GB storage.

The highlight of this phone is its MediaTek Dimensity 7300 chipset, which is often found in phones costing upwards of ₹20,000 to ₹25,000. At this price, the chipset offers excellent value and allows you to enjoy entry-level to mid-range gaming with ease.

For slightly better performance, you can opt for the 8GB RAM model and use bank offers to bring the price closer to ₹15,000.

POCO M7 Pro 5G

The POCO M7 Pro 5G is another strong contender under ₹15,000. It currently costs ₹14,999 for the 6GB RAM + 128GB storage variant.

For this price, you get the MediaTek Dimensity 7025 Ultra chipset and an AMOLED panel with a peak brightness of 2,100 nits, ensuring excellent visibility even in bright sunlight.

Redmi Note 13

The Redmi Note 13 is another great option for gaming, especially considering the overall package it offers.

The phone features a 120Hz refresh rate display and is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 6080 chipset. While it may not be the best in this category, it handles entry-level gaming just fine.

Powered by the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 chipset, paired with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, the iQOO Z9x phone offers a decent gaming experience. Its 6.72-inch display and dual stereo speakers are also ideal for multimedia usage. Priced well under ₹15,000, it’s a great option if your budget is closer to ₹11,000 to ₹12,000.